September 09
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-09-09
Bulletin Contents
St. Demetrios Calendar
Parish News and Events
Readings and Information
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (781) 237-5561
- Fax:
- (781) 237-8612
- Email:
- office@stdemetriosweston.org
- Street Address:
- 57 Brown Street
- Weston, MA 02493
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Matins Sunday - 8:30 a.m. Weekdays - 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Weekdays - 9:30 a.m.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2018-09-02
- Publish Date:
- 2018-08-26
- Publish Date:
- 2018-08-19
- Publish Date:
- 2018-08-12
- Publish Date:
- 2018-08-05
- Publish Date:
- 2018-07-29
St. Demetrios Calendar
SUNDAY BEFORE HOLY CROSS, September 9
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Ministry Fair
TUESDAY, September 11
- Greek School Agiasmo/Registration , 4 pm
WEDNESDAY, September 12
- Parish Council Meeting, 7 pm
- Prayer Shawl Ministry, 1 pm
FRIDAY, September 14
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
- Senior Guild Luncheon
SATURDAY, September 15
- Hellenic Nursing Home, 2 pm
SUNDAY AFTER HOLY CROSS, September 16
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Ministry Fair
Parish News and Events
ST. DEMETRIOS WELCOMES FR. CHRIS METROPULOS
We welcome Fr. Chris Metropulos, president of Hellenic College Holy Cross who will be joining us next Sunday, September 16th to serve Divine Liturgy and share a few words about our most blessed school.
WELCOME BACK BBQ
Join us on September 23rd for our annual Welcome Back BBQ hosted by the Parish Council. Let’s kick off the new year together with delicious food and great fellowship. Make sure to also have your car washed by our GOYA!
HABITAT FOR HUMMANITY MINISTRY
All are welcome to attend the next building project day on September 29th here at St. Demetrios! Come to the church at 8 am ready to work! There will be a table at fellowship hour to sign up and with more information.
ST. DEMETRIOS GREEK LANGUAGE &CULTURAL SCHOOL
What a wonderful feeling, the first day of school is just around the corner! Please mark your calendar with these important dates:
September 9: Registration, following Liturgy in the Church Hall
Tuesday, 9/11: Registration, Agiasmos Service, Open House, and Social, 4-6 pm
In addition, registration will also be held the remaining
Sundays in September following Liturgy. All are welcome. Please note, we welcome 4-year old children to participate in the Pre-Kindergarten program. For additional information about our Greek School program, please call the Church Office at 781-237-5561 or Avra Parpos at 508-875-2103.
FAMILY FIRST FRIDAY
Our first Family First Friday will be September 7th from 6:30-8:30 pm. Let’s start the year off strong with a group family activity and parents planning meeting for the 2018-2019 year. Families of all shapes and sizes are welcome! To RSVP and for questions please email Presbytera Nadia Minucci: presnadia@gmail.com
GOYA (Grades 9-12)
GOYA is back and ready for another year! Our kickoff event will be a fun GOYA night on September 21 from 6:30-8:30 pm with pizza, music, fun and games. Please RSVP to Fr. Vinnie or to Jill Kovatsis (ja.k@verizon.net) to let us know if you are coming. Join us for our annual GOYA Car Wash during the Welcome Back BBQ on September 23rd. Be sure to bring a change of clothes to help!
Jr. GOYA (Grades 6-8)
Please note, there’s been a change in date and time! Join us on September 23rd at the Vekiarides house from 4-6pm for our first Jr. GOYA night. We will have dinner and a discussion with Fr. Vinnie. Please RSVP to Fr. Vinnie or Renee (rvekiarides@321foundation.org). Also, make sure to bring a change of clothes to church on September 23rd for the GOYA Car Wash!!
60TH ANNIVERSARY RESEARCH PROJECT HELP
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, St. Demetrios is preparing an online, multi-media version of its history. In the next few months we’ll be seeking historical information from parishioners and we’ll be conducting interviews with long-time church members. We are looking for five HS seniors and/or college students with a serious interest in history or journalism to do interviews and collect materials. The selected students will receive training and equipment. Students will earn a stipend for each assignment completed. Send a brief resume and letter to Dr. Manny Paraschos at the church office by Sept. 28. Access to transportation is essential. For more information contact manoparas@gmail.com.
ST. DEMETRIOS DIRECTORY
As part of our 60th Anniversary activities, we will be publishing an updated membership directory. We will be reaching out to you for confirmation of the accuracy of your contact information (address, phone number, email etc.)
There will alo be an opportunity, as in the past, for business and underwriter support.
More information will be forthcoming. Feel free to contact Georgia Gefteas with any questions– 781-431-7479
SPONSORING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
The calendar is open for any one wishing to sponsor coffee hour this coming year. If you are interested please contact Pam Brody at 781-864-6427.
BASILE PERFORMANCE
Tickets to see Basile the comedian on October 20th are selling fast! For tickets or to reserve a table please make your reservation as soon as possible by contacting Pam Brody at 781 864–5327 or brodster52@yahoo.com
APPEAL– CAR DONATION NEEDED
If you or anyone you know has a working car that is no longer needed consider donating it to the church for a seminarian in need. For more information contact the church office.
ST. DEMETRIOS 60TH ANNIVERSARY
2019 marks the 60th Anniversary of our St. Demetrios Community. A committee co-chaired by Peter and Stephen
Condakes has begun to think about ways to celebrate this milestone. Soon they will share some events and ways that we can all participate as we mark this joyous jubilee year of our Church. We hope our entire community will come together as one family in thanking God for our beloved St. Demetrios.
PHILOPTOCHOS
Thank you to our wonderful St. Demetrios Community who have generously donated to the Panagia Icon Fund. We are nearing our goal and there is still time to donate. For those who haven't donated please prayerfully consider a donation.Thank you again for your generosity and love.
USHERING GUIDELINES
As the Church School year comes to a start, we ask that everyone assist us by waiting patiently in your seats for the children to receive Holy Communion first so that they may get to their classes.
In order to facilitate this process as efficiently as possible, we ask that Church School Teachers, Children and their parents be dismissed first for communion. All other parishioners are asked to stay in their seats and wait for the ushers to dismiss their row. We appreciate your patience and your support!
ST. DEMETRIOS ORTHO-TAXI SERVICE
We miss you when you are not with us! If you need a ride to and from church consider taking the St. Demetrios Ortho-Taxi service. If you are interested call the church office (781-237-5561) by Friday at noon for Sunday Liturgy, or two days in advance for other services or events. You will receive a call from your driver to arrange pick-up times. The roundtrip fare is $5 to be donated to the Senior Guild.
SUNDAY GREETERS
We are looking for additional people to help greet/welcome our parishioners to church on Sunday mornings. All those who are interested in being a part of this wonderful program please contact Angel Hatgelakas through Marianne at the church office. Tel: 781-237-5561 or email: office@stdemetriosweston.org. Thank you.
GROUND ZERO CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS
To learn more about the rebuilding efforts of St. Nicholas National Shrine in New York City and how you can be a part of history please visit: www.stnicholaswtc.org.
USHERING
If you are interested in joining the Usher Team please contact Georgia Gefteas at gghome1@verizon.net or 978-973-7476.
WWW.GOARCH.ORG
The webpage of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has a great amount of resources for anyone looking to learn more about the faith. You can find the daily readings of the church, information about saints, what we believe, and prayers for any occasion. Additionally, you can stay up to date with news that affects us as Christians. Be sure to check www.goarch.org regularly!
PHILOXENIA HOUSE
Located near HCHC in Brookline, the Philoxenia House offers a home and hospitality to patients and those who accompany them while they are undergoing treatment in the Boston area. For several years a few of us visit the home twice a year to try to brighten their lives by planting flowers. This is a joy for us. For more information regarding this ministry please contact Betty Titus, 781.237.4748, or Eleanor Spiliakos, 978.443.3746.
WHAT IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
Being asked this during our festival a number of times — we as Orthodox Christians ought to respond:
“The Orthodox Christian Church is a worldwide body of believers who confess and worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as Lord and Messiah. This body has a tangible and continuous history of Christian faith and practice from the time of Christ’s Apostles. The use of the adjective ‘orthodox’ to describe the Church dates back to the earliest centuries and was applied to those Christians who maintained the tradition transmitted by Christ’s Apostles (1 Thess 2:15)”
FR. MANIKAS LIBRARY
Come and visit the Fr. Manikas Library and check out one of our many books on a variety of different topics. After Divine Liturgy, please stop by the library and see what we have to offer. See Cindi Dabrowski in the library for assistance on picking out a selection to take home and further your knowledge of our faith.
DAILY READINGS APP
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has developed and released a Daily Readings App for iOS and Android. It offers the daily Epistle and Gospel readings of the day as well as the saints that are commemorated on that day. Furthermore, it offers prayers, dates of future Feast Days and fasting guidelines.
It’s a great resource that is offered by our Archdiocese. Sign into your app store and download it today!
BE THE BEE WEBSERIES
The National Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries offers a weekly web video series on YouTube called “Be the Bee” each week a question or theme about our faith is answered in just 5 minutes! Check out this new and interesting approach to learning about our faith! Go to: www.youtube.com/user/y2am to see the entire series!
Readings and Information
Today’s Epistle Reading (Galatians 6:11-18) is found on page 100 in your Red Liturgy Book.
Today’s Gospel Reading (John 3:13-17) is found on page 148 in your Red Liturgy Book.
Resurrectional Apolytikion, “The Heavenly Powers” is found on page 171 in your Red Liturgy Book.
Thanksgiving prayers, for after Communion, are found on page 40 in your Red Liturgy Book.
TODAY’S USHERS: Arthur Loridas, Captain; Stavroula Margaritis; Andrew Mavrikos; Jim Mavrikos; Greg Vasil; Elaine Ward, Tom Camp, Jim Houhoulis.
TODAY’S MEMORIAL: there is no memorial today.
TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is graciously hosted by the St. Demetrios Philoptochos.
TODAY’S GREETERS: Ethel Gionas.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Wisdom of the Fathers
For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century
For not in heaven only is He, but everywhere, and He fills all things; but yet He speaks according to the infirmity of His hearer, desiring to lead him up little by little ... For after having spoken of the very great benefaction that had come to man by Baptism, He proceeds to mention another benefaction, which was the cause of this, and not inferior to it; namely, that by the Cross ...
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Tone
Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone
Thy Nativity, O Theotokos, hath procliamed joy to the whole world; for from thee hath dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, annulling the curse and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Holy Ancestors of God in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy righteous ancestors, O Lord, through them we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion for St. Demetrios in the Third Tone
The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Saints and Feasts
September 09
Sunday before Holy Cross
September 09
The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
September 09
Severian the Martyr of Sebastia
Saint Severian, a senator from Sebastia, was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. Because he encouraged the holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia to stand fast in their confession, he was given over to terrible torments, and received his own crown during the reign of Licinius and Lysius the Duke, about the year 315.
September 09
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 09
Theophanes the Confessor
September 10
Poulcheria the Empress
September 10
Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs
These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.
September 10
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 11
Euphrosynos the Cook
September 11
Theodora of Alexandria
This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.
September 11
Demetrios & Evanthea the Martyrs & their son Demetrianos
September 11
Sergius and Herman of Valaam, Finland
September 11
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 11
Deinol the First Bishop of Bangor
September 12
Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
September 12
Autonomos the Martyr
This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.
September 12
Hieromartyr Cornatus, Bishop of Iconium
September 12
Agirus, the Hieromartyr of Cornoutus, Bishop of Iconium
September 12
Daniel of Thassos
September 12
Julian the Martyr
September 12
Theodore the Hieromartyr of Alexandria
September 13
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
September 13
The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)
The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.
September 13
Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr
Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.
September 13
Aristides the Philosopher
September 13
Hierotheos the Righteous of Iveron Monastery, Mount Athos
September 14
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
September 14
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
September 14
Commemoration of the 6th Ecumenical Council
September 15
Saturday after Holy Cross
September 15
Nikitas the Great Martyr
This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.
September 15
Philotheos the Righteous
September 15
Bessarion of Larissa
September 15
Righteous Father Symeon, Archbishop of Thessolonica
September 15
John the New Martyr of Crete
September 15
John the New Martyr of Crete
September 15
John the New Martyr of Crete
September 15
Afterfeast of the Holy Cross
September 15
Porphyrios the Actor
September 16
Sunday after Holy Cross
September 16
Euphemia the Great Martyr
Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.
September 16
Sebastiana, Disciple of St. Paul the Apostle
September 16
Dorotheos the Hermit of Egypt
September 16
Melitina the Martyr
September 16
Afterfeast of the Holy Cross
September 16
Ninian the Enlightener of Scotland
Saint Ninian was born in Cumberland in Britain around the year 360, about a half century after the Emperor Constantius Chlorus died in the British city of York, and his son Constantine, who was with him when he died, was proclaimed Emperor. Ninian was born of Christian parents of noble lineage, at a time when paganism was still strong in his native land. As a young man he went to Rome, where he spent many years in study and ascetical struggles. At Rome, Saint Ninian was consecrated some time after the death of Pope Damasus in 384, and was sent back to his native island about the end of the fourth century. On his return journey, it is likely that he passed through Tours and met Saint Martin; what is certain is that many churches and cells associated with Saint Ninian, including his own cathedral in Whithorn, were named in honour of Saint Martin. When Saint Ninian returned to Cumberland, he established monasteries that fostered both the life of prayer and missionary labours. By his preaching, his godly life, and his miracles, he ministered to his own countrymen, the Britons, and also converted many of the pagan Picts, who inhabited the northern regions (in today's Scotland). He reposed in peace at his see of Whithorn in Galloway in 432.
September 16